Question

why do lichens and mosses get mostly replaced by larger plant species during succession?
larger plants are autotrophs but lichens and mosses are heterotrophs.
larger plants compete for resources like space, sunlight, and soil nutrients more successfully.
larger plants do not use as many resources as lichens and mosses.
larger plants are not edible so they are more likely to avoid predation.
none of these.
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Explanation:

Lichens and mosses are pioneer species that colonize bare environments first. As ecological succession proceeds, larger plants (like shrubs and trees) grow and outcompete the smaller lichens and mosses for critical resources: taller plants block sunlight from reaching the low-growing mosses/lichen, their root systems take up more soil nutrients, and they occupy more physical space. The other options are incorrect: lichens and mosses are autotrophs, larger plants use more resources, and edibility does not drive this replacement.

Answer:

Larger plants compete for resources like space, sunlight, and soil nutrients more successfully.